The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced the availability of $5 million through the Thriving Communities Technical Assistance program. The Thriving Communities program will help strengthen local capacity to align transformational infrastructure projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with other crucial investments, such as affordable housing.
“Affordable housing investments must go hand-in-hand with transportation improvements. Connecting housing and transportation through transit-oriented development improves housing affordability, reduces automobile dependence, and expands access to employment, schools, health care, and other critical needs and opportunities for residents,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “I am pleased to partner with Secretary Buttigieg and the Department of Transportation on the Thriving Communities program to better integrate housing and transportation planning to improve outcomes for America’s underserved communities.”
Through this $5 million Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), HUD will fund technical assistance providers to work with jurisdictions across the country to consider housing needs and boost supply as part of their larger infrastructure investment plans. Once technical assistance providers are selected, HUD will begin the process for qualifying local governments to come forward and request assistance.
HUD is seeking awardees that will take a localized, holistic approach to technical assistance, working across sectors and building local capacity. HUD expects technical assistance providers to have experience partnering with local organizations to satisfy specific technical assistance assignments, improving local capacity to plan for and execute capital projects, and supporting equitable engagement and outcomes.
While other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency, are also providing technical assistance under the banner of Thriving Communities, HUD’s technical assistance is specifically focused on integrating housing and transportation planning.
“No one understands a community’s needs better than those who live there,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “This program will help equip more local leaders with the resources, knowledge, and assistance they need to access federal funding, and modernize their infrastructure so that it serves the community well for decades to come.”
Applications for HUD’s Thriving Communities Technical Assistance NOFO are due by 11:59:59 PM EST on November 22, 2022. Search Grants | GRANTS.GOV for additional information, including eligibility requirements, and to apply. HUD and DOT will host a webinar for interested applicants to learn more about the Thriving Communities program and specific requirements of each of the NOFOs. Sign up here.